EXIF Metadata stripped from photos when exported from Pixelmator Pro 3.7, MacOS Tahoe 26.0.1, Mac Mini M2

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EXIF Metadata stripped from photos when exported from Pixelmator Pro 3.7, MacOS Tahoe 26.0.1, Mac Mini M2

Started using PixelMator Pro 3.7 last week. After a few edits, results looked better than anticipated. However, Using EXIFTOOL on the JPEG and HEIC exported images, I discovered all the exif metadata that I need/want in those exported images was wiped. I depend on my images having all the original metadata for a complete technical documentation profile. I could not find a solution on this forum or elsewhere for the current 3.7 version. Cannot believe there could not be an option in the File --> Export flow to "Save Metadata". Anyone have a solution ? This may be a deal breaker for me to continue using PixelMator. Thanks in advance.

Mac mini, macOS 26.0

Posted on Nov 2, 2025 5:35 PM

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Answer 1

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iceman97 Author

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7 points

Nov 3, 2025 11:06 AM in response to Matti Haveri

Matti - Thanks for the info. I did stumble upon a solution hidden in plain sight. Pixelmator -->Settings --> Editing

Open Images in: Original Format instead of the default. This pretty much solved my needs. Thanks for listening, hopefully this may help others.

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Answer 2

iceman97 Author

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7 points

Nov 19, 2025 10:37 AM in response to iceman97

An update: Loss of EXIF Metadata appears to happen only when opening a raw image file and saving it as JPEG and possibly other formats. Opening a JPEG file, editing and saving as JPEG with a different filename keeps the EXIF metadata. Given all CR3 raw and accompanying JPEG files are in a directory called "folder_name" with the same filename prefix, the following exiftool construct via the terminal works for me.

exiftool -tagsfromfile %d%f.CR3 -r -ext JPG folder_name

Maybe this will helps others with similar issues. Thanks to Matti for the TagsFromFile hint.

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Answer 3

Nov 3, 2025 1:46 AM in response to iceman97

A workaround is to copy all metadata from the original to the exported image with exiftool TagsFromFile option. I use that to movies re-encoded with Final Cut Pro or ffmpeg (ffmpeg has an option to do that but it does not really work).

You could also send feedback to PixelMator (which has signed an agreement to be acquired by Apple, subject to regulatory approval BTW).

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Answer 4

Old Toad

Level 10

215,094 points

Nov 3, 2025 3:41 PM in response to iceman97

What did Pixelmator Pro customer support say about that? Did you contact them?

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Answer 5

iceman97 Author

Level 1

7 points

Nov 4, 2025 6:12 PM in response to Old Toad

Thanks for that. The solution I had working yesterday does not work today :-(

I found "Provide Pixelmator Pro Feedback" the third item listed in the application which links to:

https://www.apple.com/feedback/pixelmator-pro/

I used it to submit a report directly on line. Now to see what if anything, happens next.

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Answer 6

iceman97 Author

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7 points

Nov 3, 2025 5:55 PM in response to Old Toad

I did visit pixelmator.com website and poked around looking for a place to offer suggestions or complain about something but after 15 minutes of jumping through hoops I just gave up. Disappointed in the whole support mechanism so far.

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Answer 7

Old Toad

Level 10

215,094 points

Nov 4, 2025 8:57 AM in response to iceman97

Here's the webpage to get phone support for Pixelmator pro: https://getsupport.apple.com/solutions

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